Greetings! Newbie to RV, but recently a frequent lurker as the vertical learning curve continues!
I appreciate in advance any help offered, thanks!
Several months ago, I purchased an ancient (1983) Lindy Skyline 26 on a Ford Econoline chassis. Happy days.
We went on a quick trip to a local campground, and all was well. Plugged in, sockets worked, but the air con kept tripping. Not to mind, it wasn't even warm.
*note, at this point, though it clearly says '30 amp' on the access to the plugs etc, it was plugged into the 20 amp socket.
Next trip, the chassis battery suddenly dies. I picked it up at lunch, no problems though turned the engine over slowly, 6pm I jump in and it is dead. I pop to Autozone, they check the battery (pretty old), announce it has 0% charge, I buy a new chassis battery, install it and off we go.
Next morning, battery is dead. I get a jump start, thinking I left a light on or something and assume the best. Next day, battery is again dead.
For a few trips, I just disconnect the chassis battery when parked and re-connect in the morning, no issues.
In the middle of this (and many, many short trips) I remember the previous owner telling me the deep cycle battery wasn't being charged by the vehicle. I take it out, get it tested, they tell me it is dead but in good shape, charge it for me and send me on my way.
Summary at this point: chassis battery draining overnight, deep cycle slowly draining, but sockets work, lights work etc. I am disconnecting the chassis battery overnight and when parked.
Two weeks ago on a trip, the 110V does not come on when I plug in at the campsite. A little messing about with the breaker switches on the RV and on the power pedestal and they come on.
Last week: no power to the 110V, though the lights work ok. It is my kids birthday weekend so I use an extension to keep the fridge and other items going, and we survive.
This weekend: nothing when I get to the site. At this point I have not charged the deep cycle so it must be flattish
. I honestly forgot to bring it home.
I tool about for a bit, then notice the '30 amp' on the electrical cover, remove the 20 amp adapter on the main plug in cord, plug in the plug, switch on the air con, it works! Still no power on the 110v and no lights though. I have a booster and I pop it on the deep cycle and immediately we have lights, but I do not leave the booster on the battery for more than a few seconds.
Investigating the chassis battery I notice two wires that are definitely not OEM. When I changed out the chassis battery the connections were worn so I got new ones and fitted all the wires to where i thought they belonged. Now this is where I am getting lost.
Two wires from the battery, but both are to the negative terminal!!!!!
Seems odd. I follow them back and the thicker goes into the converter, the other continues to the negative of the deep cycle battery (should I be calling it the house battery?)
I wondered if I had them incorrect and connected the thicker one to the positive side of the battery. Well, we had light, but so so bright, and hot.
Playing around with the breakers last night we for a moment had sockets working, light and air con. Then the time delay 20 amp fuse blew and no replacement to be found.
So I guess (and thanks for getting this far) I have a few puzzles:
1. why is it not charging the house/deep cycle battery
2. why is/has the chassis battery been connected to the converter?
3. does the lack of charger indicate the charger inverter is dead and if co how difficult to replace? (It is a Magnatek series 3200 model 3240 40 amp unit, unsurprising obsolete I believe)
Again, thanks for the thoughts and help!!!!